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Kennedy goes five frames in loss to Indians

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Prado's two-run double 1:00

3/21/13: Martin Prado hammers a double over the head of Michael Brantley in left to plate a pair of D-backs' runs in the third inning

By Steve Gilbert
/
MLB.com |

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Michael Brantley homered and Carlos Carrasco continued his push for the No. 5 spot in the rotation as the Indians beat the D-backs, 5-4, on Thursday in front of a sellout crowd at Salt River Fields.

Carrasco, who is battling Scott Kazmir for the final rotation spot, allowed four runs on eight hits in five innings of work.

Brantley got the Indians on the board in the first with his first home run of the spring. The three-run shot came after Lonnie Chisenhall and Nick Swisher each collected two-out singles.

The D-backs cut the lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the first on Aaron Hill's two-out RBI double.

Arizona starter Ian Kennedy, though, did not appear sharp, allowing back-to-back doubles to start the second as Cleveland went up 4-1.

The D-backs took advantage of a misplay by Brantley in left to tie the game with three runs in the third. Martin Prado drove home two of them with a double, and Eric Chavez added an RBI single.

Omir Santos gave the lead right back to the Indians with an RBI single in the fourth.

Kennedy, who will start Opening Day for the D-backs, allowed five runs on nine hits while fanning seven over five innings.

Up next: The D-backs travel to Goodyear to take on the Indians on Friday at 7:05 p.m. MST. Trevor Cahill get the start. Patrick Corbin, who is battling Randall Delgado for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, is also scheduled to see action. Closer J.J. Putz is also slated to throw, which would mark the first time he's appeared in back-to-back games this spring.

Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveGilbertMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.